Let’s Put a Stopper in It

Another rainy season, another sewage spill, another beach closure. But even by the standards of Orange County, where ocean pollution too often is looked upon as not that big a deal, this spill was large, one of the biggest in recent years.

Last week 440,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean at Aliso Creek. Two years ago, in the summer, the discharge of 16,000 gallons of sewage into Aliso Creek and ultimately into the ocean forced the closure of a section of beach. Last summer, 5,000 gallons were spilled into Salt Creek Beach Park, forcing closure of part of the beach there and all of the private Monarch Beach.

A county environmental health specialist said that last week’s spill happened when a pump station operated by the Moulton Niguel Water District failed. That caused sewage to back up in the line and eventually flow into the creek.

The spilling continued four hours, partly because supposedly “fail-safe” alarms failed, according to a water district official. County health officials said they were not notified until eight hours after the spill began. These time lapses are excessive. Orange County’s beaches are used year-round, not just in the summer. Surfers take to the water despite rain and high winds. Even when few people are exposed, speedy notification of the county is needed. Health officials are trained to make a quick assessment of the situation and to measure bacteria levels. In last week’s spill it took only half an hour after notification for the county to shut a 1.5-mile section of Aliso Beach, a closure that lasted several days.

In past years sewage spills have prompted coastal cities to insist that inland neighbors join them in deciding how to stop discharges of sewage. That is especially true of the situation along Aliso Creek, which has suffered numerous sewage spills for various reasons, not just pumping station breakdowns. It appears the effort to solve the problem has been unavailing.

It is time for the county to take the lead, drawing in special districts, cities and related agencies. Where needed, the investment must be made to upgrade equipment. Orange County cannot afford to continue just shrugging off these spills.